Chapter 90

Chapter 90

[Translator – Angel Dust]

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Chapter 90

Cardinal Nicolaos, the head of the Empire’s 1st Diocese and a member of the Order of Light that worships the Goddess of Light, watched the young man walk away.

“Actually... I’m a bit embarrassed to say, but there’s a pension foundation with my name on it—”

“I would like the Order to support it. Ah, please don’t mention that I asked. Just say that the Order was happy to do a good deed with good intentions...”

“It’s nothing special. I just feel sorry that only my friends are struggling. Since it bears my name, I think it’s right for me to help in various ways.”

He was told to say what he wanted, and that’s what he said. Hearing this, Cardinal Nicolaos almost let out an exclamation of ‘Huh.’

‘Was it intentional? Or was it sincere?’

Being old means having a lot of experience. Although one’s ego also increases proportionally, it means at least having seen more than others.

In that respect, Cardinal Nicolaos found this young nobleman named Karl to be a very strange person.

The Order is indebted to you, so if there is anything you desire, do not hesitate to ask.

There’s no need to be shy. It’s good for our Order to give back as much as we have received.

When told this, most nobles would stop their polite refusals and ask for what they wanted.

That’s not a bad thing. It’s actually a good thing. Those who hide everything until the end cannot walk together.

Wouldn’t it be easier to improve the relationship between the two by asking for something that is easy to grant?

That’s why he’s thinking like this. He did make a personal request, as he said, but the content is not personal at all.

‘If it was intentional, it’s extreme image management. If it was sincere, he’s a hero who didn’t receive the Medal of Honor for nothing.’

Cardinal Nicolaos, who had been looking in the direction Karl had disappeared for a while longer, closed his eyes.

There were still doubts, but based on everything so far, this was the latter.

‘He’s not a worn-out figure in the political world. Rather, he’s a very pure young man. If he really had other thoughts in his heart, God wouldn’t have led him on the path to the sacred relic.’

It was a sacred relic that the 4th Diocese, no, the entire Order had tried their best to find.

But it was all in vain. Even with the Empire’s support, they couldn’t find it.

It had even been rumored that perhaps God, disappointed with their inadequacy, had turned the sword back into light, so it was better to give up.

In that situation, they suddenly split a rock and found the Sword of Saint Louis inside.

If this isn’t God’s will, then what else could it be? And surely, someone who received God’s will couldn’t possibly harbor ill intentions?

“Count Friedrich has designated the existing heir as the Crown Princess, and now has an excellent young lord as well.”

Cardinal Nicolaos muttered to himself without realizing it.

The Veterans Pension Foundation. From what he heard, it was a foundation led by two marquisates and two counties of the Empire.

“...The academy? All of a sudden?”

“Yeah. The new elven exchange students arrived, right? Eloise is technically a new student too. She went to meet them and attend a gathering for elven students.”

“Hmm.”

It seems Selena only knows that much. And that’s how it should be.

But I know more. Eloise told me, and I already knew some things.

‘Surveillance, was it?’

Luzernes is anti-Empire, while Hyzens is pro-Empire. So naturally, Hyzens sends exchange students to the Imperial Academy. Their goal is to learn from the Empire and bring those benefits back to their homeland.

But whether Luzernes or Hyzens, the foundation of their society is elves. No matter how kind or understanding they may be, their roots are elven. There are things that don’t change and things that are hard to change.

Among them, of course, is a vague sense of superiority, or the arrogance of being better than humans.

Luzernes used that to their advantage. That’s why, in the early days, most elves sided with Luzernes.

Even though they’ve been completely crushed now, that kind of ideology can always resurface.

‘They say, It’s hard for a human to become an elf, but it’s a snap for an elf to become a human.’

If that happens in Hyzens, it’s their problem.

But what if, by some chance, it happens at the Imperial Academy? What if the exchange students suddenly get infected with some strange ideology and start shouting, ‘Elves! Elves! Elves!’?

That’s why the Empire always wanted to have a surveillance system in place. And the one to take on that role would naturally be the most pro-Empire elf among the exchange students, the one with more interest and affection for human society than elven society.

And this time, Eloise was secretly chosen for that role.

Ah, no. It’s more accurate to say she volunteered. Anyway.

“Hey, Karl. I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

As I look at Selena, wondering what it could be, she answers.

“Are you free tomorrow or the day after?”

“Free?”

“Yeah. I was wondering if you could visit my family’s marquisate.”

To the Marquisate of Nafplion? Ah. Is it perhaps... to introduce me to her parents―

“My grandfather, the former marquis, wants to see you.”

“...Your grandfather? Why me, all of a sudden?”

“Actually, my grandfather is a devout follower of the Radiant Church.”

...Ah.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

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